Teamsters Local 1224 Pledges Full Support, Spirit Says It Will
Keep Flying
As pilots for Spirit Airline near
the end of a 30 day cooling-off period which is necessary prior to
any labor action, Teamsters Local 1224 crewmembers say they are
preparing to stand behind them. "Teamsters Local 1224 and Local 747
strongly support the pilots of Spirit as they are nearing the end
of their 30-day cooling-off period," said Teamsters Local 1224
President Joe Muckle. "We are familiar with the challenges they are
facing because their struggle for fair wages and working conditions
has, unfortunately, become a common struggle across the piloting
profession."
Teamsters Local 1224 and Local 747 issued an announcement
Tuesday to all their members encouraging them to participate in
informational picketing organized by the pilots of Spirit.
Additionally, should a strike or a lock-out occur at the end of the
30-day cooling off period, Teamsters Locals 1224 and 747 have vowed
to refuse to cross picket lines. "Spirit Airlines claims that its
ultra low cost approach liberates customers from being forced into
paying for services they do not desire. I am sure their clientele
do not consider having well-qualified, safe, professional pilots at
the controls an "option." Spirit Airlines is a profitable company;
their pilots deserve to share in this success, and their customers
expect their cockpit crews to be properly compensated for their
dedication, professionalism, and high level skill set," said Joe
Muckle.
Following its declaration of a negotiating impasse, the National
Mediation Board released Spirit Airlines' pilots and management to
a 30-day cooling-off period. During this time, both parties are
required to preserve the status quo, which means that management
must maintain the same wages and working conditions and the pilots
must refrain from any withdraw of service. If no agreement is
reached by the end of the 30 days on June 12, the parties are then
permitted to engage in self-help activities such as the imposition
of new contract conditions by management or a strike by the
pilots.
The Airline Professionals Association, Teamsters Local 1224
represents the flight deck crewmembers of cargo and passenger
airlines. Its members include ABX Air, Atlas Air, Cape Air, Kalitta
Air, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and Teamsters Local 747.
Teamsters Local 747 represents the flight crewmembers of Arrow Air,
Horizon Air, Gulfstream, Miami Air, Omni Air, Republic Holdings,
and USA 3000.
The 30 day cooling-off period ends on Saturday. Spirit said in a
news release Tuesday that negotiations continue this week in
Washington, D.C. between Spirit and its pilot union at the National
Mediation Board. The airline says many issues have been resolved,
and negotiations this week are focused on the remaining issues
which center around pay rate and productivity.
Spirit says it is committed to reaching a fair and equitable
deal, the company has also developed plans to continue operations
and is working with customers whose flights may be affected.